No. 9: Cannon and High Soldier Win by Rule vs Two Advisors

"No. 9: Cannon and High Soldier Win by Rule vs Two Advisors" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Practical Endgames. Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is P5+1. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

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Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors.

Solution move by move

1. Red P5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K4+1
1. Black K4+1
2. Red C2=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black K4-1
2. Black K4-1
3. Red C5+4 (captures the Advisor, sacrifices the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black A6-5 (captures the Cannon)
3. Black A6-5
4. Red P5+1 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Red P5+1

Variations and alternative defences

What if Black defends differently? The alternatives below were checked with the rules engine; lines marked with a mating move lose at once, the others are worth trying on the analysis board.

1. Black K4+1
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K4-1
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black A6-5
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 4 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 9: Cannon and High Soldier Win by Rule vs Two Advisors"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Practical Endgames.

How many moves does the solution take?

4 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.

What is the key move?

The first move P5+1 starts the combination. Everything that follows depends on it.

Can I play this position myself?

Yes. Open it on ChessZing, where the board checks your moves and shows the solution if you get stuck.

← Previous puzzle: No. 8: Cannon and Two Soldiers with Full Advisors and Elephants Draw by Rule vs Cannon with Full Advisors and Elephants Next puzzle: No. 11: Cannon, High Soldier and Elephant Win by Rule vs Two Advisors and One Elephant (1) →